Jan 08, 2013

Chinese labor then and now

Many of my readers know that there were anti-Chinese uprisings all across the western United States at the end of the 19th century. San Francisco had some of the worst.To us Jews, these were pogroms right here in the United States. Most of them were organized by labor unions and most of these pogroms were encouraged by Irish immigrants.

What is interesting to me is that Americans were hostile to Chinese coming to the United States to work and doing the vital work that America needed including roads and railroads. The Chinese workers were only allowed into the country as long as no women were with them.

This did not keep the Chinese population from settling down and growing because women were brought in separately for prostitution.

This same disgraceful American behavior continues to this day. A century later. Both candidates for president in 2012 expressed the prevailing racism against Chinese by constantly blaming Chinese for being too productive, too efficient and reducing the cost of products that low income Americans need.

Why do Americans still hate Chinese? Why are we still so racist?

It disgusts me and I have no answer.

I can only wish that there were some national figures with the decency and honesty to call the American people and their politicians on this disgraceful behavior.

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Chinese labor then and now

Many of my readers know that there were anti-Chinese uprisings all across the western United States at the end of the 19th century. San Francisco had some of the worst.To us Jews, these were pogroms right here in the United States. Most of them were organized by labor unions and most of these pogroms were encouraged by Irish immigrants.

What is interesting to me is that Americans were hostile to Chinese coming to the United States to work and doing the vital work that America needed including roads and railroads. The Chinese workers were only allowed into the country as long as no women were with them.

This did not keep the Chinese population from settling down and growing because women were brought in separately for prostitution.

This same disgraceful American behavior continues to this day. A century later. Both candidates for president in 2012 expressed the prevailing racism against Chinese by constantly blaming Chinese for being too productive, too efficient and reducing the cost of products that low income Americans need.

Why do Americans still hate Chinese? Why are we still so racist?

It disgusts me and I have no answer.

I can only wish that there were some national figures with the decency and honesty to call the American people and their politicians on this disgraceful behavior.